As a college student, I know how a lecture works. You sit down and listen to some accredited person talking about something for a long period of time, usually with some form of visual aid like slides loaded with diagrams and examples to enhance the presentation. Some lectures are total snooze fests where the speaker basically tells you information and others are a little more interactive; and then there are TED talks.
TED is an organization that aims to spread ideas from various disciplines through insightful talks given by bright individuals. It started out as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design came together and today covers almost all topics in over a 100 languages. It's easy to get lost in all of talks and discussions ranging from design to global issues to technology because none of them are longer than 20 minutes. These talks are fascinating and progressive, not some boring, long, dry lecture.
If you're interested in finding some good talks to listen to, look no further. These are just a few handfuls of the great demonstrations given by women at TED talk conferences from around the world.
1. Amy Cuddy: Your body language shapes who you are.
Amy Cuddy is a social psychologist who researches how body language shapes how others see us, as well as how we see ourselves. It takes on a whole new meaning to the phrase "fake it till you make it."
2. Susan Cain: The power of introverts.
Susan Cain is a former corporate lawyer and negotiation consultant that brings up how our culture values outgoing individuals and how being an introvert is often difficult. This passionate talk celebrates introverts and their talents.
3. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The danger of a single story.
Novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie gives an incredible talk about how stories we tell one another overlap and make up our lives. She warns us that if we hear only one story about a culture or person, we may get the wrong impressions or risk misunderstanding.
4. Kelly McGonigal: How to make stress your friend.
Kelly McGonigal, a health psychologist, gives a talk on a topic that everyone can relate to, stress. Throughout her research, she found that there are two things that should be done to reap the hidden benefits of stress.
5. Sheryl Sandberg: Why we have too few women leaders .
Sheryl Sandberg is the Chief Operating Officer of Facebook who gives this talk about why there are so few women in positions of power and at the top of their professions. She then gives three important pieces of advice for women seeking corporate success.
6. Cameron Russell: Looks aren't everything. Believe me, I'm a model.
As a model for Victoria's Secret and Chanel, Cameron Russell knows that she is graced with good looks -- she has been paid to model since the ripe age of 16. Her talk reveals more than her pretty face and investigates fashion industry standards about beauty and perception.
7. Elizabeth Gilbert: Your elusive creative genius.
The author of "Eat, Pray, Love" Elizabeth Gilbert gives a talk that takes a different approach to the idea of genius and creativity. She leaves us with the thought-provoking question: Instead of "being" a genius, what if we "have" a genius identity?
8. Pamela Meyer: How to spot a liar.
Pamela Meyer, a lie detector, author and former CEO of social networking company Simpatico Networks argue to preserve the truth in her talk about lying and deception. Her talk reveals how subtle clues used to detect lies and mannerisms of deception are hard to catch but easy for the trained eye.
9. Mary Roach: 10 things you didn't know about orgasm.
Author of "Bonk" Mary Roach makes 10 claims about orgasm after researching old and strange science about sexual health and reproduction and it's a hilarious talk. Viewer discretion advised.
10. Miranda Wang and Jeanny Yao: Two young scientists break down plastics with bacteria.
Miranda Wang and Jeanny Yao, both 12th-grade science fair winners, are in search of a bacteria that can break down plastic. Their results and findings will surprise you (besides the fact that they are teenagers).
Check out TED for more interesting, insightful, breathtaking, groundbreaking and amazing talks.
